by Erin Sullivan
Image of Erin Sullivan presenting her research on nutrient pollution, from her paper called Nutrient Pollution: An Analysis of The Issue and Its Policy Proposals.
The Social Equity Leadership Conference of 2024 at the University of Connecticut afforded me the following opportunities: publishing my written work, securing a fellowship, and presenting research. All of these milestones were “firsts” for me in my academic trajectory. As an online student at John Jay College, it is hard to create relationships with instructors and peers due to the lack of an in-person presence, as much as we try. Participating in the conference was an opportunity to not only grow as a person and explore academia, but to gain new experiences and engage with fellow graduate students and teachers. In submitting my proposal to present at this conference I became part of a team that brought all our research together to heighten the inequities the world faces, and hopefully inspire other attendees to act with the power that they have.
My first day was exciting. I did not realize there would be so many different people coming together to share their knowledge and perspectives on current public policy issues. I met people working for government agencies, nonprofits, and scholars from across the United States. I thought “networking” would be stressful as someone that is introverted but everyone was excited to be there, and I made many connections. I attended several panels throughout the conference. During a Social Equity in Emergency Management panel, I learned about the problems that face emergency managers in diversifying management and the complexities of incorporating AI into emergency management operations. Experts in the field who were in the audience also weighed in with their personal experiences. A PhD student from Rutgers presented original data and statistical analyses, demonstrating how government participation directly impacts citizens’ attitudes and support for gay marriage, using Taiwan as an illustrative example. I also attended a panel with professors from across the United States about Black Lives Matter and academia. In the Social Equity and Resistance panel, a professor from Thomas Edison State University highlighted lessons we can learn about love prevailing over hate, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion. I also attended an NYU panel presentation and was personally touched by one student’s study on the AIDS/HIV epidemic. There were so many other presentations I did not get a chance to attend but I did get to present myself.
I presented my research on nutrient pollution, from my paper called Nutrient Pollution: An Analysis of The Issue and Its Policy Proposals. I explored the stakeholder positions on water pollution, and existing efforts to address this issue as well as evaluated current policy solutions and their impact on the community. I received helpful feedback about my research and connected with a practitioner from the legal defense fund interested in my work. This conference has inspired me to explore this public problem further to see how this issue affects specific communities, including disparities related to gender.
Personally, participating in this conference has allowed me to break out of my shell. Presenting my academic work to an engaged audience and receiving positive feedback was rewarding. Additionally, I was offered a fellowship opportunity with the Initiative for Gender Equity in the Public Sector to further research how gender and pollution intersect. The overall feeling I have after attending SELC 2024 is confidence in myself and my abilities, especially when it comes to speaking to a room full of people while on stage, new knowledge in multiple facets of public policy that affect social issues, and catharsis for the relatable topics that personally touched me and other attendees that found SELC a safe place to talk about issues they face in academia, the workplace, and in the world.
About the author:
Erin Sullivan is a graduate student at John Jay College, working towards her Master of Public Administration and Public Policy, specializing in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration. She previously earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay. Erin has several years of experience in the legal field and currently works for the NYS Office of the Attorney General, where she recovers funds for New York State. She also volunteers for the Office of the Attorney General’s Election Protection hotline, assisting voters with any issues they may encounter. Passionate about public service, Erin aims to transition into a role within state or city government, where she can contribute to helping local communities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, her dog and cat, as well as hiking and biking to the beach.